Let God Prescribe... just lead with your experience!

Many of us feel really passionate about the joy of giving! It's easy to slip into "prescribing" what giving should or could look like for the people in our group based on our own previous experiences.

Keep an eye out for your own tangents, comments, or advice when it comes to people's experiences! Remember a few key things when you are deciding how to respond in a discussion...

1. Validate everyone's place on the journey

Every single step on a person's journey toward God is a miracle. And each step is something to celebrate! So no matter where someone is at with something, validate the place they're in - recognizing God's grace to get us to where we are propels us to move closer!

2. It's God's role to change people, not ours

Our job is to create a place in which people are safe to share. Sharing itself is an important process of people's growth and transformation! The best response to someone sharing is usually... thanks for sharing! Or... I've been there too! Or... I totally get that! Make sure it doesn't become an opportunity to comment, teach, or correct. Rather, let God continue to use what they're sharing to convict and transform. He really does do it!

3. Use what you hear in group to connect outside of group

When someone shares something that you know you want to hear more about, or inform them about, or even push on sometimes, the group discussion isn't the place to do it! One of the best responses ever to a comment that is confusing, off-base, or even just exciting, is to say afterward... "I'd love to get together sometime to hear more about that!" It's prioritizing relationship, it's letting them lead the way in sharing what they're comfortable with, and it paves the way for some incredible conversations and relationships.

The Big Takeaways from Rooted Groups Training

Even though only Mission Group Leaders and hosts were at the Rooted Groups Training, there are some big takeaways that we all can benefit from!

1. Personal Response TOthe questions > Thoughts ABOUT the questions

This is the best preparation you could ever do as a leader. It's what you know, what you've experienced, or what you think that will influence and help people. It's leading by example; pressing into God with your questions, doubts, and hang-ups - then being vulnerable enough to share that journey with your people. Your "In Process" leadership encourages others toward a closer relationship with God!

2. never un-invite people from being changed by God

Sometimes we hold back. Maybe it's someone who is having a hard time. Maybe it's someone we think already has it all together. But God is always inviting each of us to take the next step toward Him. And although we aren't the ones to determine people's next steps, or how God is going to convict and move them, we always choose to invite our people to go on the journey with God.

mission groups, make sure you're ready to play a video!

Test it before you get to group! The videos are on YouTube, and they can also be downloaded at the link below the video in the Discussion Guide. If you have any questions at all about how to make it work, get in touch sooner than later!

Rooted begins next week!

We had an awesome training yesterday as we gear up for one of the most significant seasons in Mission's history! As influencers and stakeholders at Mission, Mission Group Leaders and Spark Group Leaders alike, there are a few things we need to be doing before Rooted kicks off next week.

1. Pray for your group

Of course this is always a good idea... but pray specifically for your group members at least once this week by name. Pray for their excitement about the Rooted Journey, for them to hear God's voice as He moves them toward trust and generosity, and for them to be open and ready to share in group!

2. Get everyone to week 1 of rooted

We've been announcing Rooted for the last couple weeks because getting to week 1 makes a difference! Each week of Rooted will be important, but week 1 will be foundational. Invite your group members to the service you're attending, lead with excitement and tell them how important week 1 will be, and connect with them individually to make sure they get there!

Don't forget to bring your Rooted journal if you have one already!

3. keep going on the journey personally

As we talked about in training yesterday, the most important thing we can all do for our people is to go on the journey ourselves. So spend some time this week (with your Rooted journal if you have one already!) asking God some of the big 5 questions!

Where do I need to trust You more?

What could I sacrifice for Your kingdom?

What am I holding on too tightly to that I need to surrender?

How could I best demonstrate faithful obedience to You?

What are You asking me to give out of the overflow of thankfulness for what You've done for me?

Can you help at the Rooted Hub?

We are creating a space in the lobby for all things Rooted! It will be a place where people can pick up journals, wristbands, ask questions, and learn more about the Rooted Journey!

The Rooted Hub is going to be staffed by awesome volunteers who are...

excited about the journey we are going on

ready to point people toward next steps and what's coming up

helpful by either answering questions about Rooted or helping people find the right person to answer a question!

I couldn't think of any better batch of people to help out at the Rooted Hub at some point over the next 5 weeks than group leaders and hosts!